At least eight people have been killed in a series of car bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. There were seven attacks, the most deadly of which was a double car bombing near a university in the east of the city in which five people died. Another blast near the health ministry, apparently targeting a police patrol, left three people dead. The blasts came as the new PM-designate Jawad Maliki prepared to hold talks on forming a national unity government. The first explosion was the one close to the health ministry. In addition to the three people killed, 25 were hurt, including several policemen - two of whom had been directing traffic. A police spokesman said at least three other cars were destroyed and some shops had their windows blown out. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk

Prosecutors at Saddam Hussein's trial have played a recording said to be of a phone call in which Saddam discussed a crackdown on Shia with a co-defendant. During the call, the ousted leader allegedly discussed the destruction of farmland in Dujail with former Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan. Saddam and seven co-defendants face charges for their alleged role in the killings of 148 Shia Muslims in Dujail. The trial was adjourned until 15 May, when the defence case is due to begin. In the recording played to the court, a voice said to be that of Taha Ramadan said the destruction of farmland and palm groves in Dujail was nearly completed, and that owners would receive compensation, the Associated Press reported. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4937972.stm

The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, today warned that he could remove the Hamas government from power if it failed to "face the facts" and recognise Israel.He said the Palestinian Authority had to establish communication with Israel and renounce violence if it wanted to avoid international isolation and a critical shortfall in aid."The constitution gives me clear and definite authority to remove a government from power, but I don't want to use this authority," he told Turkish CNN in an interview broadcast today. "Everyone should know that by law this power is in my hands."The Palestinian Authority has been facing a cash crisis since the election of the Hamas-dominated parliament....http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1760340,00.html?gusrc=rss

Peruvian authorities have been sending aid to hundreds of evacuees after declaring a state of emergency in the area near the erupting Ubinas volcano. Gas and cinder began spewing from the 5,672-metre (18,609-ft) volcano in southern Peru three weeks ago. Tonnes of aid, particularly tents, water and powdered milk, have been shipped into the affected zone. The army has been brought in to help evacuate nearby villages, although some residents are reluctant to leave. The civil defence institute has recommended that the entire population in the district of Ubinas, about 3,500 people, be evacuated as soon as possible. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4938480.stm

Two small planes collided midair Sunday about 20 miles north of Anchorage, killing all five people aboard, officials said.A man and his three children in a Cessna 170B and the pilot of a Cessna 172 were killed in the wreck just after noon, according to National Transportation Safety Board investigator Clint Johnson. Both were single-engine fixed wing aircraft manufactured in 1955, state troopers said.The planes were flying at altitudes between 500 and 800 feet when they collided above the Palmer Hay Flats in a remote area about 10 miles south of Wasilla."It appears that the westbound aircraft apparently saw the other aircraft at the last moment, tried to avoid the collision, but unfortunately that didn't work," said Johnson, who did not identify which plane that was....http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/24/planes.collide.ap/index.html?section=cnn_us

An anarchist group on Monday claimed responsibility for fire bomb attacks in Athens, saying they were aimed against a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while anti-war activists said they planned a mass protest. Rice is due to meet Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and her Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyanni on Tuesday as part of a five-day trip to Europe that also includes Turkey and Bulgaria.The anarchist "Anti-State Struggle" group claimed it was behind a bomb blast earlier on Monday outside a French carmaker Renault showroom and a failed attack against a McDonald's fast food outlet at the weekend. The firebombs damaged cars but caused no injuries.The group said the makeshift bombs were planted in protest against Rice's visit and "in solidarity with those who are fighting against capitalism."...http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060424/ts_nm/greece_usa_rice_dc